Ghana has petitioned the African Union (AU) to place recent xenophobic attacks on African nationals in South Africa on the agenda of the eighth mid-year coordination meeting of the continental body next month.

In a letter to the chairperson of the AU Commission, Ghanaian Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa expressed grave concern over the continued occurrence of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, which he said have led to the loss of lives, destruction of investments, as well as threats to the safety and well-being of African migrants.

When Okudzeto Ablakwa summoned Thando Dalamba, South Africa’s acting high commissioner, he described the attacks as “xenophobic incidents” in South Africa.

One case involved a Ghanaian legal resident in KwaZulu-Natal who was allegedly confronted and told to return home and “fix his country.”

Ghana’s ministry also warned of “escalating tensions”, saying foreign nationals, including Ghanaians, had been advised to remain indoors for their safety.

“This development is especially concerning when viewed in the light of the longstanding solidarity demonstrated by African states in support of the struggle against apartheid and South Africa’s subsequent democratic transformation,” added the letter dated May 6.

According The Africa Report, “Ghana has summoned South Africa’s acting high commissioner over what it called a series of xenophobic incidents targeting foreign nationals, including Ghanaians, after videos circulated online showing migrants being harassed and told to leave the country.

The move turns a familiar domestic flashpoint in South Africa – anger over jobs, crime and public services being directed at African migrants – into a diplomatic problem for Pretoria.”

In addition, “It also gives Accra a chance to frame the issue not only as a consular matter, but as a betrayal of the African solidarity that Ghana says it showed during South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle.”

The diplomatic protest followed an earlier call between Ablakwa and Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s minister of international relations and co-operation. Ablakwa said he had raised “trending videos” showing Ghanaians coming under “extremely disturbing xenophobic attacks”.

South African officials expressed empathy with the victims and promised investigations, according to Ghanaian reporting and South African media.

Xenophobic attacks constitute a violation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and undermine the spirit of integration and pan-Africanism, as well as run counter to the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area, the letter said.

Attacks targeting African nationals undermine “the shared principles of African solidarity, brotherhood and continental unity to which all member states of the African Union are committed,” it added.

Ghana urged the AU to strengthen monitoring mechanisms, establish a fact-finding mission to investigate the causes of the violence, and facilitate dialogue and reconciliation initiatives aimed at promoting tolerance and inclusion.

A viral video on social media recently captured a Ghanaian national Emmanuel Asamoah and other nationals being confronted and intimidated by some disgruntled South Africans who accused them of taking jobs meant for local citizens.

The video triggered outrage among many Ghanaians at home and abroad, leading to the subsequent evacuation of Asamoah.

• A Tell Media / Xinhua report